Licensed Premises Course (UK): Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Licensing law across the UK

Pubs, bars, clubs and many venues need a licence to sell alcohol or put on regulated entertainment. Each part of the UK has its own law:

In England and Wales, the Home Office section 182 guidance explains how the Act works. It says each licensing objective is of equal importance. A premises licence can have conditions, for example requiring door supervisors at certain times.

Mandatory conditions

Every premises licence for alcohol in England and Wales includes mandatory conditions. They ban irresponsible promotions, such as drinking games, and require free drinking water on request where reasonably available. They also require an age verification policy (see Lesson 4).

Lesson 2: Door staff, capacity and safety

Section 21 of the Licensing Act 2003 says that if a premises licence requires people to do security work at the premises, they must hold an SIA licence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (or be entitled to do the work under section 4 of that Act).

The SIA says door supervision at licensed premises needs an SIA licence whether you are employed in-house or by a security company. Licensed premises here means a venue licensed to sell alcohol for drinking on site or to provide regulated entertainment. A door supervisor licence also covers security guarding.

Capacity and crowd safety

The section 182 guidance says a venue's permitted capacity is set following a recommendation from the fire and rescue authority under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Capacity limits support public safety, and they help prevent disorder because overcrowded venues can make crowds frustrated and hostile.

• Count people in and out accurately.
• Keep fire exits and routes clear at all times.
• Watch for crushing near bars, stages and stairs.
• Help people leave safely at closing, for example with taxi information and good outside lighting.

Lesson 3: Drunk and disorderly customers

Several offences in the Licensing Act 2003 (England and Wales) apply to drunk or disorderly people and to staff:

Under section 143, the request can come from a police officer or from staff whose role authorises them, the licence holder or the DPS. When asked, a police officer must help expel the person and help stop them coming back in.

Schotland

Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, section 115 covers disorderly conduct by drunk people and responsible persons who allow it. Section 116 makes it an offence for a person behaving in a disorderly way, or staying after licensed hours, to refuse to leave when asked. An authorised person, meaning a responsible person or staff they authorise, may remove the person using reasonable force if needed, and a constable must help when asked.

Lesson 4: Age checks and children

It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 (section 146). A seller has a defence if they believed the person was 18 or over and took all reasonable steps: they asked for evidence of age and it would have convinced a reasonable person.

• Section 149: it is an offence for an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for someone under 18.
• Exception: an adult may buy beer, wine or cider for a 16 or 17-year-old to have with a table meal, if someone aged 18 or over is with them.
• Section 150: it is an offence for a person under 18 to knowingly drink alcohol on licensed premises, and for staff to knowingly allow it.

Age verification policy

The mandatory conditions require every premises selling alcohol to have an age verification policy. Anyone who appears under 18 (or an older age set by the policy, such as 25) must show photo ID with their date of birth and a holographic mark or ultraviolet feature before being served. Digital ID may be accepted only if the licence holder has an agreement with a registered digital verification service provider.

In Scotland, the policy must cover anyone who appears to be under 25.

Lesson 5: Vulnerability, spiking and drugs

The section 182 guidance says preventing spiking falls under the crime and disorder objective. Spiking includes putting alcohol or drugs into someone's drink, food, cigarette or vape without their knowledge, or injecting them without consent.

Signs of spiking (GOV.UK)

• Confusion and disorientation
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Poor co-ordination or vision
• Difficulty speaking clearly
• Memory loss or blackouts

What to do

1. Get medical help: call 999 if the person is in danger, or 111.
2. Stay with the person and keep them somewhere safe with a member of staff.
3. Help them contact the police, by 101 or 999 for serious incidents.
4. If you see a drink being spiked, tell the person not to drink it and alert staff.

Report quickly: GOV.UK says some drugs leave the body in less than 12 hours.

Ask for Angela and WAVE

In London, the Met Police and partners run Ask for Angela. A person who feels unsafe asks staff for "Angela", and staff help, for example by reuniting them with a friend, getting a taxi or calling security or police. Staff at taking-part venues complete WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training.

Drugs

Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 makes it an offence for an occupier or manager to knowingly permit the supply or production of controlled drugs on their premises. Door supervision helps keep out people who are dealing drugs. Report drug activity to your supervisor and follow your venue's drugs policy.